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HAS UKRAINE’S TRANSFORMATION ALREADY BEGUN? OR WHAT IS ALREADY BEING CHANGED IN UKRAINE

Sunday June 8th, 20141555 views

«Curious to know what the country would look like in 10 years – just ask what young people there are dreaming about», Bohdan Hawrylyshyn

Following the political and social transformations of 2013/2014 launched by students and president elections of 2015 the Ukrainian society aspires further changes. However only few know that these changes are already happening, i.e. changes in consciousness and actions of the most active young people of Ukraine. These are the young people Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Charitable Foundation is working with, the young people who feel eager to open the world and bring its best practices to Ukraine.

On 5 June 2014 MIM-Kyiv Business School hosted the first conference of the “Young Generation Will Change Ukraine” Program Association titled “Transformation Started?”.

What is changing in Ukraine now?

Federalization and decentralization of Ukraine, government transparence, sustainability of bank system, young people and their role in national evolution, Ukraine’s investment potential and energy security. These were not simply the issues raised by European ambassadors, well-known and honourable Ukrainians, international experts in their addresses to average young people. These experts significantly contributed to what Ukraine would look like in 10 years.

The founder and mastermind of the program “Young Generation Will Change Ukraine” Bohdan Hawrylyshyn stressed that quality changes can only be introduced by the young people and through transformation of all its systems.

Bohdan Hawrylyshyn is a world-known economist and futurologist. Was one of the founders of the World Economic forum in Davos. He predicted decolonization of Africa and collapse of the Soviet Union. Today his forecast is demise of the Russian Federation in 10 to 12 years. Bohdan Hawrylyshyn helped Ukraine in gaining its independence and is further advocating its interests on a global level. Worth mentioning here that International Management Institute-Kyiv (MIM-Kyiv) was established in Ukraine with direct support of Bohdan Hawrylyshyn.

Speakers at the 1st part of the Conference:

Wolf Dietrich Heim, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to Ukraine;

Jon Elvedal Fredriksen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway to Ukraine;

Christian Schoenenberger, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Ukraine;

Thomas Frellesen, Deputy Head, Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine.

Speakers at the 2nd part of the Conference:

Liubomyr Guzar, Major Archbishop of Kyiv and Halych, Metropolitan of Kyiv, Bishop of Kamianets;

The final part of the conference enabled participants to train their practical skills while working in groups. They also used this opportunity for meeting each other, finding fellow-thinkers, sharing interesting ideas and valuable experience.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to Ukraine Wolf Dietrich Heim:

“Ukrainian youth has undoubtedly great potential to bring order to the Ukrainian society and make its economy more competitive. I am absolutely sure that this is the young generation to play the primary role in transformation of Ukraine.

Let me share some recommendations with the groups that will be studying Austrian experience next year: given the huge work done before, it’s just vital to extend the existing contact list. It would be also good to have a comparative analysis of current Austrian legislation, as many of the laws (even those of 1918) are available in Ukrainian. So what you need is just compile all those data and show them to the relevant parties and stakeholders”.

Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine Christian Schoenenberger:

“All young Ukrainians that I have met in my life are considerate and well-educated people. But I believe they should be more critical and hard-driving. They should demand more from educational facilities, administration bodies and politicians. They definitely must realize that democracy and effective governance can be reached only through selection of decent candidates. These changes would come as a result of efforts made by the most conscious citizens who stand for their rights and politicians working on these issues.

Switzerland is a country of viable civil society with thousands of NGOs. A certain number of people concerned with this or that issue will set up an NGO and start a corresponding campaign in support or defence of their beliefs. I deem interesting for young Ukrainians to speak to the representatives of Swiss NGOs. Moreover, Switzerland is a decentralized country, where cities and districts called cantons are provided with high level of autonomy which they are actively protecting the central level authorities. This might also be interesting for the young people in Ukraine”.

Conference organized by Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Charitable Foundation.

Mission of the Foundation

To encourage and promote new generation of professional and patriotic Ukrainians who are conscious of and responsible for the future of the country and well-being of its society.

Starting from 2010 Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Charitable Foundation has been working on promoting changes and reforms in Ukraine through active youth engagement.

Since 2012 more than 250 young Ukrainian activists and experts in various fields have participated the program “Young Generation Will Change Ukraine” and gained professional experience in one of the six effective European countries: Austria, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Poland.

All these countries have gone through political and economic changes (transformations) in the early 90s and have as of now become either leading European countries in a particular sector/field, or influential EU members, or active supporters of Ukraine’s European integration and its Association with the EU.

The “Young Generation Will Change Ukraine” Program Association was established to further motivate participants of the program to actively transform Ukraine and ensure the balance of power.

We are more than sure that strong government based on active participation of its citizens is a key to successful development of the state. Thus, in its activity Association is aimed at uniting young professionals in working groups and their further engaging in public administration and cooperation with government institutions, as well as establishing stable communication between the participants of the program.

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HAS UKRAINE’S TRANSFORMATION ALREADY BEGUN? OR WHAT IS ALREADY BEING CHANGED IN UKRAINE